Blog

NAN-H-110
Pilgrims
By Sumaila Ogbaje
Abuja, Oct. 25, 2016 (NAN) Rev Tor Ujah, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christians Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), has urged the two air carriers approved for the November Pilgrimage to treat Nigerian pilgrims with dignity and promote the country’s identity.

Ujah made the call at the signing of Air lift agreement for the pilgrimage operation with Atlasjet Nigeria Limited and Izy Nigeria Limited in Abuja on Tuesday.

He also charged the airlines to ensure that whatever they use during the operation carried Nigerian colours and symbol as a sign of respect for the country.

The NCPC boss stated that all the process that led to the signing of the agreement was carried out in line with the relevant laws of the country, adding that the processes commenced in March.

He said the next process would be the inspection of the aircraft by the relevant authorities in conjunction with the commission to ensure that they were worthy to airlift the Nigerian pilgrims.

Utah said several bids were received from different airlines and after the process, the two airlines were selected and the president had accepted the selection.

“The next process is the inspection by the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to ensure that the aircraft are worthy to fly.

“It is upon the final approval by the relevant authorities that the process will be complete,’’ he said.

Ujah called on Nigerian pilgrims and stakeholders to ensure that holy pilgrimage provided the returned benefit to the country in tackling the many challenges that were confronting the nation.

He urged Nigerian Christians and the Church to adhere to the teachings of Christ, adding that Nigeria could be better than Israel if the word of God is obeyed.

Ujah also advised Nigerian youths to have faith in the country and stop believing that they could be better off in other countries.

According to him, Nigeria is the greatest land of opportunities in the world.

The Chairman of NCPC, Rev Nicholas Okoh, advised the air carriers to be faithful in executing the terms of the contract signed in respect of the pilgrimage operation to avoid legal issues.

Okoh, who is Primate, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, also advised the airlines to respect the rights and dignity of the pilgrims irrespective of their level of exposure.

He also urged them to respect the integrity of the country, saying the government uses pilgrimage to propagate its foreign policy.

Similarly, Sen. Monsurat Sunmonu, Chairperson, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, told the airlines that the country was expecting nothing less than the best service delivery.

Sunmonu also advised the airline to avoid any negative practices that could make the agreement to shortlive, assuring that the country would soon come out of recession.

According to her, Nigerian people are people of faith and that is why we are confident that the country will soon overcome its present challenges.

Responding, the Representatives of the airlines promised to deliver effective and excellent service to the pilgrims during the operation. (NAN)
OYS/AK/OFN

Edited by Akin MakanjuolaFelix Nwadioha

Illegal migrants: FG backs Kenyan Govt. over arrest of 26 Nigerians

NAN-H-116

Arrest

By Isaac Aregbesola

Abuja, Oct. 25, 2016 (NAN) The Federal Government has backed Kenyan Government on the arrest of 26 Nigerians in the country on Oct. 22 for flouting visa laws.

A statement by the Ministry Of Foreign Affairs Acting Spokesperson, Jane Bassey-Adams on Tuesday in Abuja, alleged that the arrested persons were not in possession of valid document for their stay in Kenya.

Bassey-Adams said that the Immigration Authority of Kenya acted in accordance with its domestic laws regarding the arrest of illegal immigrants.

She said that the law enabled the authority to crack down on foreigners whose visas had elapsed but remained in Kenya illegally.

The spokesperson said some of them had also been indicted for criminal activities including advance fee fraud, warning that the government would not support any Nigerian who broke the law of her host country.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to state that the Government of Nigeria does not support, encourage or condone any form of illegal migration and condemns all acts of criminality in its entirety.

“The ministry wishes to inform members of the public that the Nigeria High Commission in Nairobi has since sprang into action to ascertain the circumstances of the arrest,” she stated.

The ministry, however, called on Nigerians living abroad to abide by the law of the country of their residence.

It also encouraged Nigeria immigrants to be law abiding and desist from any action capable of tarnishing the image of the country or bring the country into disrepute.

“It will continue to engage countries of residence of all Nigerians abroad with a view to ensuring that they are treated with dignity and respect in accordance with international minimum standard,” she said. (NAN)

IAA/MNA/OU

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Edited by Maureen Atuonwu/Obike Ukoh

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NGO to break hurdles that deny women access to HIV/AIDs services

NAN-HG-16

HIV/AIDs

By Talatu Maiwada

Abuja, Oct. 25, 2016 (NAN) AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), an NGO, has embarked on an HIV and AIDS testing campaign to break societal, religious and cultural huddles that deny women access to HIV and AIDs services.

Dr Kema Onu, Site Coordinator of the Foundation, made the call during its community based HIV and AIDs testing campaign on Tuesday in Abuja

Onu said the event was aimed at raising public awareness especially for women on the need to avail themselves and get tested as the prevalence rate was higher in women than men.

He said testing the key population of women and young girls was very important as it was the starting point in stopping and reversing the trend of HIV and AIDS in the country.

“Statistics has shown that community based testing is about the most effective way of getting people tested, because people hardly show up at the facilities.

“However, we experience gender challenges as most women who are more positive do not come out to get tested, and this is caused by societal perceptions, cultural and religious barriers.

“In AHF, we are determined to raise awareness and ensure that such barriers that limit them are broken so that women have more access to reproductive health services,’’ he said.

Onu urged men to allow their spouses and partners get tested, as such would increase testing the high risk population and those tested positive would be linked to care.

He said the society also perceives women who avail themselves for testing has been promiscuous, adding that such stigmatisation should be discouraged.

Onu explained that women were more likely to test positive and among the high risk population because of their biological anatomy of an open genital organ that makes transmission higher.

“Women are also more likely to have sex with elderly men, and such men would have had several unprotected sex with other women and may likely be positive.

“Women are likely to trade sex for money and are more likely to be raped and such cases are usually not reported.

“Some cultural issues occur when women loss their spouses and they are forced to marry from the husband’s family in respective of his status,’’ Onu added.

He noted that most Nigerians were living in a presumptive HIV negative state, saying that about 3.4 million Nigerians were living with the scourge and about 55 per cent do not know their status.

Mrs Christie Awunor, the Prevention Coordinator AHF, further advised Nigerians to avail themselves for testing after every six months, if exposed to the risk of infection.

Awonor said the foundation also conducted community outreach in the FCT and six communities on HIV and AIDS, counselling, testing, sensitisation and awareness campaign. (NAN)

TIM/MST/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

NEC hints on bumper harvest, low food prices

NAN-AE-12
Harvest
Abuja, Oct. 25, 2016(NAN)The National Economic Council (NEC), on Tuesday in Abuja, expressed optimism that the nation would experience bumper harvest this year which would force down the prices of foodstuff.

Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo, spoke at a joint news briefing with Govs. Adams Oshiomhole of Edo and Jubrilla Bindow of Adamawa at the end of the NEC meeting, presided by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

According to Okorocha, Minister of Agriculture Audu Ogbe, briefed the NEC on progress of government’s agricultural policies, while the state governors agreed to partner federal government in agricultural programmes.

Okorocha said NEC hailed the anchor borrowers’ scheme of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) “as a success story’’ with many states participating in rice farming.

He said: “Agriculture is very key for us to come out of recession and improve quickly on the economy of our nation.

“However, we were concerned about some of the items being imported in this country in the name of food.

“We have cautioned the Standard Organisation of Nigeria, NAFDAC and all agencies that deal with quality of goods to do their best to ensure that rubbish is not sent to this country in the name of food.’’

Okorocha hinted that NEC realised that some of the frozen fish and chicken imported into the country were preserved with “very dangerous chemicals.’’

Gov. Oshiomhole also said that NEC had a very comprehensive brief from the Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, on the challenges in the power sector.

He said the nation still did not have enough power coupled with the interruptions “as a result of many factors.

“The level of generation is still far below what the country needs to be able to have stable power supply in the homes and other places,’’ he said.

Oshiomhole, however, said that NEC was satisfied that the government was working on diversifying various sources of power supply including hydro, solar, wind and gas.

The governor noted that the migration from government ownership of power projects to private sector also posed some challenges in the sector.

He said NEC had very robust communication on the issue of tariffs and community problems as well as issues arising from exchange rate as it affected procurement of power infrastructure.

“But on the whole, we are confident that the government is moving in the right direction, adding “there are challenges but those things will be overcome.’’

On the blueprint to deliver housing units for the low income earners, the governor said NEC was satisfied that much of the building materials to be used would be locally made.

He added that housing was an area the administration believed it could generate a good number of jobs.

“Once it gets started, the whole idea is to have a national consensus.

“Regardless of the colour of the government that comes in, the government policy on housing can speak to a Nigerian policy that goes beyond the tenure of any political party.’’

He said NEC called for the sustenance of efforts on housing provision, adding that government would deliver on its promise to provide housing in each of the 36 states of the federation.

On the large number of unoccupied houses in Abuja, Oshiomhole said government would not introduce forceful occupation of private houses, but would provide alternative houses that could force rents down.

The governor of Adamawa Bindo said that one of the things the NEC discussed was the end of the tenure of Gov. Adams Oshiomhole.

He said NEC acknowledged his integrity and commitment to his people and would miss him.

He said NEC wished him well in his future endevours.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that at the end, Oshiomhole introduced the governor-elect of Edo, Mr Godwin Obaseki, to the press corps and asked the corps to extend cooperation to him.

Obaseki said he was delighted to interact with the press corps, adding that the corps had influence on reporting the polity and could not be ignored.(NAN)
DCU/OU/OU
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Edited by Obike Ukoh

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Body of señor advocates want Bar, Bench to confess their sins

NAN-H-105

Judiciary

By Edith Nwapi

Abuja, Oct. 2016, (NAN) A senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr Gbenga Awomolow  has called on the Bar and the Bench to humble themselves.

Awomolow spoke on behalf of the  body of the senior advocates of Nigeria at the 2016/2017 new legal year in Abuja on Tuesday.

According to him, this is not the time for blame games but a time for humble reflection.

“This is the time to humble ourselves and confess our sins and turn to the Lord for forgiveness.

“This is the time to plead with those senior advocates who claimed that they know those who are corrupt.

“They should name them, our judges should play above ‘god ‘ in their decisions for allegations of corruption are so severe,

“How can we clear the bar and the bench from this mess that  have brought  it so low before the eyes of the public.

Earlier, Mr Abubakar Malami,(SAN), the Attorney General of the Federation, promised that the executive would bring to the courts cases of cogent nature and of substance.

He said every citizen in the FCT should be given court services irrespective of religion or tribe and that the judiciary should place value in the discharge of their duties.

Also, FCT Chief Judge, Justice Ishaq Bello, admitted that the judiciary was going through a trying time and they FCT judiciary was trying to be seen as an exemplary one.

“These are indeed trying times for the judiciary of this country. I am bold to say that the judiciary is determined to eradicate corruption within its fold and it seeks the support of relevant agencies,

“However this should be within legal limits and in line with laid down rules and procedure “he said (NAN)

NEO/OFN

Edited by Felix Nwadioha

NAN-AE-11
Flood
By Ugonne Uzoma
Owerri, Oct. 25, ‎2016 (NAN) The Imo State House of Assembly on Tuesday adopted a resolution urging the state government to educate residents on how to avoid devastation by floods.

The assembly said that this had become necessary following predictions of flooding in the state by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET).

The motion urged Gov. Rochas Okorocha to direct the state ministries of agriculture and environment to sensitise the residents to prepare for the floods by de-silting drainage channels and relocating people from areas likely to be affected.

The mover of the motion, Mr Chika Madumere (APC-Nkwerre), noted that NIMET predicted severe flash floods due to the heavy rains at the peak of the 2016 rainy season.

Madumere explained that the measures as recommended should be taken as predictions of NIMET ‎had always been accurate.

The lawmaker ‎also noted that his constituency had already lost one person to flood that ravaged the area while Bauchi State had lost 12 people.

Supporting the motion, Mr Donatus Onuigwe (APC-Oru West) recalled the devastation caused by floods in Ohaji Egbema in 2012 and called for urgent action to prevent a recurrence. (NAN)
UOI/MNA/MVO
(Edited by Maureen Atuonwu/Mbadiwe Okwor)

NAN-H-111

SDGs

By Emmanuel Acha

Enugu, Oct. 25, 2016 (NAN) The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has expressed concern over the possibility of Nigeria achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the face of dwindling budgetary resources.

Dr Robert Asogwa, the Team Leader, Inclusive Growth Unit of the UNDP, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Tuesday that Nigeria needed alternative innovative financing modules for its development programmes.

Asogwa, who was in Enugu to attend a donor conference, wondered how African countries could achieve the goals with the economic downturn in the continent.

“Many governments cannot attain the SDGs except they think of alternative option and innovative modules of financing them.

“The donor conference in Enugu is necessary but may not be sufficient for the state to achieve its four-point agenda and the global Agenda 2030 as well as the African Agenda 2063,” he said.

Asogwa said that it had become imperative for Nigeria to explore all available development options and should not limit itself in the context of North-South partnerships.

“We also need to think about meeting with China and other Asian countries for assistance.”

Asogwa said that UNDP was committed to assisting the country in achieving its development agenda and recently evolved another framework to that effect.

“For us in UNDP, we are responding to these needs of government to finance the Nigerian agenda and African agenda by developing what we call United Nations Development Assistance Framework.

“This is a medium-term support strategy for 2018 to 2020 where 28 UN technical support organisations will assist federal and state governments to be able to address their challenges.”

He said that it was sad that most governments did not show the required commitment critical to the partnership.

“It is important that the state started calling donors together to seek to achieve the Enugu Agenda 2020 which is linked to the global agenda.

“We need partnership because the key challenge is financing. This conference is good but not sufficient,” Asogwa said. (NAN)

EOA/MNA/NKO

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(Edited by Maureen Atuonwu/Nkechi Okoronkwo)

NAN-HE-24
Development
By Emmanuel Acha
Enugu, Oct. 25, 2016 (NAN) The Irish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Sean Hoy, has attributed the seeming lack of sustainable development in the country to deceit and self-centeredness of some leaders.

Speaking in Enugu on Tuesday during a donors’ round table organised by the state government in partnership with the Department for International Development (DFID), Hoy said some governors were self-centered.

He said that such had led to a lack of consistency in policy thrusts of successive administrations, adding that it was time political office holders put the interest of their people first.

“The governors should put the interest of the people first rather than building projects which they cannot finish all in the name of building legacy projects in their memories,” he said.

The ambassador noted that abandoned projects abound in many parts of the country because successive administrations discontinued with such projects.

Hoy said that Enugu State Government was a clear example of a government with consistent development roadmap which should be emulated by others.

He said that the four-point agenda of the state government which had been followed by successive administrations was the right way to go in terms of sustainable development.

“Enugu is secure and needs economic stability. All issues hindering economic development and investment have to be done away with,” Hoy said.

Declaring the conference open, Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi said that the state had always been open to reform initiatives by development partners which were integrated into the efforts to achieve national and global goals.

Ugwuanyi, who was represented by his deputy, Mrs Cecelia Ezeilo, said that the state government had continued its programme of reforms and development initiatives in spite of the challenges in the economy.

“It is important to note that we came into office at a time when the nation’s economy was in steep decline.

“Rather than enjoy the excess crude oil that was available to our predecessors, I and my brother governors have had to rely on bail out funds to meet some of our needs due to depleted revenue.

“It is for this reason that we have been referred to as bailout governors,” he said.

Ugwuanyi expressed gratitude for the contributions of the development partners to the development of the state.

In a goodwill message, the Regional Coordinator of DFID, Dr Olachi Chuks-Ronnie, expressed regrets that donor intervention in the South East zone was one of the least in the country.

Chuks-Ronney said that though human development indices showed that the zone was not poor, there were still levels of poverty starring them in the face.

“There are still things you need to do in the zone to attract pockets of money lying out there to develop the state.

“For the number of years DFID has worked in the state, Enugu always comes out good in terms of performance and we need to sustain it,” Chuks- Ronnie said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the conference is ‘Building a Sustainable Partnership for Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals’. (NAN)
EOA/MNA/MVO
(Edited by Maureen Atuonwu/Mbadiwe Okwor)

NAN-H-82
Suit
Lagos, Oct. 25, 2016 (NAN) A Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday, fixed Dec. 12 to deliver ruling in a fundamental rights suit filed by an ex-Niger Delta militant, Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo.
The respondents in the suit are the Attorney-General of the Federation, EFCC, Inspector General of Police, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Naval Staff and the Chief of Air Staff.
Tompolo is praying the court for an order to stop a N12 billion fraud charge preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the EFCC had preferred a 40-count fraud charge against the ex-Niger Delta militant.
Charged alongside Tompolo is Patrick Akpobolokemi, a former Director-General of NIMASA, Global West Vessel, Odimiri Electrical Ltd, Kime Engozu, Boloboere Ltd., Rex Elem, Destre Ltd, Gregory Mbonu and Captain Warrendi Enisuoh.
On Jan. 14, the trial judge, Justice Ibrahim Buba, had issued a bench warrant for Tompolo’s arrest due to his failure to appear in court to answer to the criminal charges.
Meanwhile, on April 8, Tompolo filed a fresh suit, urging the Federal High Court to halt his trial and nullify certain sections of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).
At the resumed hearing of the case on Tuesday, Mr Tolu Mukoro, announced appearance for the office of the Attorney General, while Mr I.B Mohammed announced appearance for the EFCC.
Addressing the court on points of law, Mukoro argued that Tompolo’s application should not be granted as Section 45 of the 1999 Constitution permits the government to enact any law.
He argued that such laws include the Administration of Criminal Justice Act which is reasonably justifiable in a democratic society, adding that Tompolo could not seek to strike off the ACJA.
He submitted that Tompolo should not benefit from his wrongdoing to obtain any favour from the court since he was consistently absent in the main criminal proceedings leading to the civil suit.
For his part, Counsel to the EFCC said he would rely on paragraph 23 of his substantive counter-affidavit, which he said had aptly captured his arguments against the application for referral.
He submitted further that since the suit was commenced under the Fundamental Rights Enforcement Procedure Rules, it could not be referred to the Court of Appeal.
Replying to arguments of respondent counsels, Tompolo’s lawyer, Mr Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, argued that Section 45 of the 1999 Constitution was inapplicable since it specifically excludes Section 36 under which Tompolo filed the case.
He argued further that Tompolo was not seeking to strike down the entire ACJA but rather two of its provisions in Sections 221 and 306, which, according to him, are unconstitutional.
After taking arguments from Counsel representing the parties, the trial judge, Justice Mojisola Olatoregun, adjourned ruling in the case until Dec. 12.
Among other prayers, Tompolo is seeking a nullification of certain sections of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, which he said affected his constitutional rights.
Tompolo is contending that Sections 221 and 306 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act are invalid and unconstitutional in so far as they seek to prevent the court from exercising jurisdiction to hear objections to a criminal charge.
In the new suit marked FHC/L/CS/499/2016, Tompolo is seeking the following reliefs, from the Court:
“A declaration that Section 221 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, is void to the extent that it seeks to be an absolute bar to any objection to a criminal charge or information, already filed, especially Charge No.FHC/L/553C/2015.
“A declaration that Section 306 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 is void to the extent that it seeks to be an absolute bar to an application for a stay of proceedings pending appeal to a higher court, in relation to a criminal charge.
“A declaration that the respondents are not entitled to rely upon Sections 221 and 306 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 in the prosecution of any criminal charge or information, already filed, especially Charge No.FHC/L/553C/2015.
“A declaration that the respondents are not entitled to file, initiate, prosecute or, in any other manner, pursue any criminal charge or information against the applicant in any manner that will constitute a flagrant violation of his right to fair hearing.
“An injunction restraining the respondents, whether by them or by their servants, agents or privies, from filing or further filing, prosecuting or further prosecuting any criminal charge or information against the applicant.”
Tompolo is also seeking an order to nullify, void, strike down and expunge Sections 221 and 306 from the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 to the extent of their inconsistency with the Constitution. (NAN)
UNS/HAS/WOJ
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(Edited By Hajia Sani / Wale Ojetimi)

NAN-HE-19

Shares

By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Lagos, Oct. 25, 2016 (NAN) Activities on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Tuesday remained on a downward trend with the market capitalisation shedding N164 billion due to profit taking.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the market capitalisation lost N164 billion or 1.73 per cent to close at N9.307 trillion compared with N9.471 trillion achieved on Monday.

In the same vein, the All-Share Index, which opened at 27,574.85, dropped 476.33 points or 1.73 per cent to close at 27,098.52 against 27,574.85 recorded on Monday following price depreciation by blue chips.

Market analysts attributed the development to profit taking embarked by some investors due to economic uncertainties.

They also said that end of the month activities contributed to sell pressure in the equities market.

A breakdown of the price movement showed that Dangote Cement recorded the highest loss to lead the losers’ table, shedding N8.83 to close at N174.17 per share.

Ashaka Cement came second with a loss of N1.31 to close at N12.26 and Gloxasmithkline dipped 75k to close at N15.03 per share.

Flour Mills declined by 65k to close at N19.35, while International Breweries decreased by 55k to close at N19.40 per share.

Conversely, Mobil Oil led the gainers’ table, gaining N4.46 to close at N190 per share.

Seplat followed with a gain of N3.60 to close at N390 and Presco improved by N2.05 to close at N42.30 per share.

Lafarge Africa appreciated by N1.01 to close at N44.51, while Caverton added 4k to close at 94k per share.

Zenith Bank emerged investors delight, having accounted for 19.24 million shares worth N288.41 million.

Access Bank followed with an exchange of 12.54 million shares valued at N70.84 million and FCMB Group traded 11.94 million shares worth N13.12 million.

International Breweries accounted for 10.08 million shares valued at N195.59 million, while United Capital transacted 8.98 million shares worth N22.28 million.

NAN reports that the volume of shares traded closed higher as investors bought and sold 113.49 million shares valued at N1.23 billion achieved in 2,435 deals.

This was in contrast with 101.18 million shares worth N1.06 billion exchanged in 2,256 deals on Monday. (NAN)
JNC/YAZ